Ball



oci. 6, 1931. H. c. PEARSON 1,826,221

BALL

yFiled May l. 1929 INVENTOR. yemy C @arson Y/ ATT EYS.

Patented Oct. 6, 1931 UNITED STATES HENRY C. PEARSON, OF PASADENA, CALIFORNIA BALL Application filed May 1,

My invention relates to improvements in the art of play balls, and embodies in its design more in particular, a ball having a centrally positioned aperture running the-rethrough, the purpose of which will be readily apparent during the course of this description.

The principal object of my invention, however, is the provision of a large hollow ball,

10J of a dimension similar to and even greater for certain purposes, than the common surf or basket ball. Balls of a large diameter are rapidly increasing in vogue. They are only suitable, however, for certain games, being ,15A limited in use strictly to certain purposes,

whereas my improved ball offers no restrictions but may be employed wherever a large ball is appropriate.

I attain this object by the construction shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown a preferred embodiment of my invention and wherein Figure l indicates a side view of my improved ball partly brolren away.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary view of Figure l, showing a preferred means of closing or capping the diametrically opposed open ends of the aperture through the ball body.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary view of Figure 2 showing a rope passed through the aperture, and

Figure 4 is a view indicating a forked handle engaging the` open ends of the aperture in the ball.

Similar numerals refer to similar parts in each of the several views.

The reference character l indicates a ball,

2 an aperture passing through the ball body,

3 are spurs extending outwardly from the sides of said aperture, 4 indicates capping or plug members whereby the open ends ot the aperture areclosed flush with the extreme body circumference of the ball, 5 are threads, the capping members engaging therewith in collars 9, a rope 6 being shown in the aperture, 7 indicating a handle having fork members 8 which terminate in turned ends 10 engaging in `the diametrically opposed aperture ends.

1929. Serial No. 359,616.

will. It ymakes an excellent tether ball by simply attaching to a cord, the other end of which is tied to a stake driven into the ground; or the end may by .suitable means be fastened overhead and thus use the ball as a punching bag. Again, two or more may be 6U- attached together to form a float or raft, as a life preserver or as an aid in learning to swim, or to serve as goal bases in water games.

By means of a suitable handle similar to that illustrated in the drawings, or by insert- 6 ing an axle in the aperture and connecting forked members straddling the spherical ball body and engaging therewith, an ideal childs toy and push ball is had.

As a means for formulating suitable games 'mf for either land or water, my invention provides a number of appropriate variations. It is readily adaptable as a discus, or used as in hammer throwing by merely using a rope inserted therein as a means for slinging the same; or it may be used as a hand push ball. And, when necessary or desirable, the provision made to readily cap up the open ends of the aperture permits its use in any game or for any purpose where such open ends A would be undesirable.

In all instances where the ball is used with' a rope attached, insertion thereof can be made in but one way, that is to say, the rope must be drawn through the aperture in the 55' direction in which spurs extending outwardly from the wall of the aperture lead. Indeed, it is impossible to insert it through the ball from the opposite side, and when theV ball is used lwith a rope thus attached, the 9o strain or pull against the spurs will cause the rope to remain secure, no further tying or fastening being necessary. I thus provide a ball new in principle and in its adaptation to specific uses; the possibilities of my improved ball as a means for providing healthful pastime being limited only by the exigency of time and the ingenuity of man.

While I have not shown a ball having a valve structure, it is apparent that the ball 1'00 may readily be manufactured either as a gas or air {illed receptacle, or in collapsible form with an air valve attached for either inflating or deflating the ball, the latter obviously best meeting conditions for balls of very large circumference. And when so equipped, the air valve may as readily be positioned at any convenient point, a preferable point of contact, however, heilig just within the aperture but somewhat to the side, and at the end opposite that through which the rope must be drawn. The valve will thereby remain concealed within the aperture and away from the free end of the rope, and the ball will retain a surface lree 'from such structural element, all of which conditions are desirable in more ways than one.

Since the construction of the ball is obviously capable of a certain range of change 2o and modification without materially departing from the spirit of the preeent invention as herein described, and as moreover d-elined in the claim which is appended hereto, I do not limit my present invention to the exact description of construction herein made, but what I do claim as new and novel, is

In an article of the class described, a ball having an aperture therethrough, the wall of said aperture having spurs extending ob- 80 liquely inward therefrom.

HENRY C. PEARSON. 

